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Brian Campbell, the left-shooting defenseman hailing from Strathroy, Ontario, is the best NHL athlete to have worn jersey number 51. Campbell has worn 51 for his entire NHL career, spent with the Sabres, Sharks and Blackhawks.

Campbell was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1997 NHL entry draft with the 156th pick. He would see his first ice-time in the NHL not too long after, at age 20 during the 1999-00 campaign, when he would play in 12 regular season games, scoring five points. More significant ice-time, on a consistent basis, would come during the 2002-03 season, when Campbell was able to play in 65 regular season games with Buffalo.

His strongest seasons, statistically, began with the 2005-06 campaign. That season, Campbell would rack up 44 points in 79 games played (12 goals and 32 assists). He would also support his team in the playoffs that season, providing them with six assists.

Campbell split the 2007-08 seasons with the Sabres and the San Jose Sharks (for whom he would play 20 games). He wound up playing in 83 regular season games that season (with the change of teams), and he racked up a very healthy 54 assists.

He has continued to produce on the ice with the Chicago Blackhawks, helping them win the Stanley Cup Championship during the 2009-10 NHL season.

Did you know..................during the 2004-05 lockout, Campbell took his hockey game to Helsinki, Finland, where he played with Jokerit?